192 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
bird,” while it is also spoken of as the “ white- 
crow ” on account of its pale-coloured plumage. 
But the most handsome of all is RuppelTs 
griffon vulture, the feathers upon the lower 
part of the back being brown, and boldly 
marked with a broad yellowish-grey edging. 
Griffon vultures feed chiefly upon carrion, 
but some of them will also eat locusts, and even 
small tortoises, the latter being swallowed 
whole. 
They are able to go without food for several 
days on end without suffering any great in¬ 
convenience, but when they do break their 
fast they make up for lost time by gorging 
themselves to the utmost. Canon Tristam 
gives an interesting account of a griffon he 
obtained as a nestling and brought to England. 
He writes : “I have seen our pet . . . attack 
the entrails of a camel, and, as his crop became 
extended, sink upon his breast, unable to stand, 
till at length, even this position being too 
much for him, he lay on his side, still eating, 
until, overpowered and helpless, he fell asleep. 
This enormous capacity for food, combined 
with the power of long abstinence, is a wonder¬ 
ful provision of creative wisdom for carrion- 
feeders, whose supply is so uncertain, while 
the necessity for the immediate removal of 
offensive matter is so urgent. The strength 
